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Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track

Two nurse practitioners talk in a hallway

You have recognized the chronic lack of access to mental health treatment in your patients and you have seen this need highlighted in local, state, and national news. This is a major health care crisis and you are ready to be part of the solution. The DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program will prepare you to fill this gap, enabling you to provide physical and mental health care for your patients in need.

Several issues affect the need for better mental health treatment access including limited trained health care professionals, the need for policy changes, lack of patient financing, and cultural stigmas that keep patients silent. The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with a specialization in Psychiatric and Mental Health prepares advanced practice nurses to respond to this need while also addressing the other systemic issues that impact their patients.

Advanced practice psychiatric nurses (psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners [PMHNPs]), are prepared to provide advanced mental health treatment across the lifespan to individuals with mental health disorders and are certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Advanced care includes the capacity to use at least two treatment modalities (individual, group, family, or couples counseling) and prescribe and manage psychiatric medications. These advanced mental health treatments are built on a foundation of advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment.

The Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program is designed to prepare the advanced nurse practitioner with leading knowledge and skills in the provision of mental health services across the lifespan for all communities in need.

Graduates are prepared to:

  • Deliver collaborative, culturally competent, family-centered care to diverse patient populations.
  • Address the mental, and social healthcare needs of patients across the lifespan.
  • Handle complex monitoring and ongoing management of intensive therapies.
  • Lead healthcare delivery and quality improvement efforts that positively influence the healthcare outcomes of patients.
  • Graduates are eligible for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification.

Psych/Mental Health Course Progression Plan

Why GVSU?
  • Recognized excellence – KCON's nursing programs are accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and are highly respected by employers across the region.
  • GVSU has established partnerships with over 1,700 healthcare organizations.
  • Delivery through online coursework and high-impact, action-focused in-seat classes at the DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health (DCIH) in downtown Grand Rapids.
  • A dedicated full-time placement coordinator manages all clinical and immersion experiences through your program of study.
  • Graduate assistantships, scholarships, financial aid, and Laker Lifetime Learning (L3) commitment available to those who qualify.
  • Top ranked, highly qualified faculty are invested in student success and relevant coursework.
  • State-of-the-art classrooms and Simulation Center provides opportunities for learning experiences that meet the needs of a diverse population of students.
Page last modified July 10, 2026